Developing Offset Banking Systems in Georgia

Offset banking involves a public or private entity investing in a project that has the effect of substantially reducing a targeted pollutant(s), such as sediment runoff, phosphorus, heavy metals, etc. This project is referred to as "the bank." The entity creating the bank receives "credits" for the associated reduction in pollutants, which it can then sell to publically-owned treatment works (POTWs) or other point source polluters facing high costs of meeting discharge standards. Trades can be allowed on a 1-to-1 basis: the buyer obtains one credit for each creditequivalent increase in pollution associated with his/her activities; or higher trading ratios can be required, e.g., 3:1, where the buyer must acquire (in this example) three credits for each creditequivalent increase in pollution associated with his/her activities. In this latter case trades result in actual environmental improvements.This paper addresses two major issues. The first refers to the steps required to establish a pilot project for one or more offset banking projects in Georgia. These steps are: identifying entities with incentives to purchase offset credits; identifying one or more entities that might establish a bank, and potential bank sites; establishing trading rules with appropriate local water quality management authorities; and obtaining approval of the proposed trading program from the U.S. EPA.The second major issue addressed in the paper is means by which an offset bank might be created. For this purpose, a brief survey is offered of existing water quality trading projects in the U.S.. Buyers of offset credits are virtually always point-source polluters (POTWs or industries). Point and non-point projects have been used as "banks" -- as a source for offset banking credits. Attention in this paper is focused on non-point sources that might serve as banks for pilot offset banking projects in Georgia. Both low- and high-technology alternatives that might be used for such projects are discussed.Notwithstanding incentive-related limitations on the number of point source polluters that might constitute the "demand" for offset credits discussed in section II, the authors have identified one entity (Fulton County) that may represent significant demand for credits, and they expect to identify others. Moreover, the authors argue that continued growth in Georgia, particularly in the Atlanta and Coastal areas of the State, will give rise to sufficient numbers of point source entities seeking new discharge permits to warrant interest in offset banking as a means of meeting increasingly stringent discharge restrictions at minimum cost. If or when enforcement of TMDLs gains strength in the State, needs for systems like offset banking will increase accordingly. These considerations, and the associated benefits to Georgians that might attend the establishment of offset banking programs in the State, serve as the rationale for the author's continued interest in exploring means by which pilot offset banking projects can be established in Georgia. Working Paper # 2003-00

Brown Mid-Rib Corn Population Trial

Brown mid-rib (BMR) corn hybrids are of interest to many growers in the Northeast who would like to maximize milk production on homegrown forage. BMR corn has a naturally-occurring genetic mutation that leads to less lignin in the stalk and makes corn silage more digestible. Corn yields can be highly dependent on population, and it is generally recommended to plant BMR corn at lower populations than conventional silage corn. BMR corn has always been considered to be more prone to lodging due to its lower lignin content, and lower populations allow for less stress on each individual plant. However, optimal populations for the Northeast have yet to be developed. With this in mind, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program conducted a field experiment in 2013 designed to evaluate the yield and quality performance of a BMR corn hybrid at three different populations across two different varieties. The data presented are only representative of one year, but this information can be combined with other research to aid in making agronomic decisions for BMR corn in the Northeast

Brown Mid-Rib Corn Variety Trial

Brown mid-rib (BMR) corn has a lower lignin content than other silage corn varieties. The lower lignin content increases the fiber digestibility (NDF digestibility) of the corn silage. Increases in NDF digestibility lead to increased in dry matter intake, milk production, milk protein content, and better body condition. Several studies have reported that for every one percentage point increase in NDF digestibility fed to dairy cattle there will be a 0.50 lb per day increase in milk production. Feeding BMR corn silage is a means to increase NDF digestibility and milk production. Since 2010, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils program has conducted research trials to evaluate BMR corn silage varieties. In 2012, the trial included 10 varieties from three different seed companies. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these BMR corn varieties in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location. Compare other hybrid performance data before making varietal selections

Forage Brassica Variety Trial

Forage brassica can provide a near-concentrate type diet late in the grazing season. This allows for an extra grazing opportunity after annual row crops are harvested, and establishes forage to fill a gap in feed quality and supply. These crops can provide a high-quality feed in a short period of time, fitting well into rotations of other crops, extending the grazing season, and reducing reliance on expensive commercial feed inputs. In 2013, the University of Vermont’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program conducted a forage brassica variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of this annual crop

Organic Spring Wheat Planting Date Trial

The local food movement has revived otherwise historical crops in Vermont including small-scale grains. As the demand for local organic wheat has risen over the last few years, University of Vermont Extension has been developing best agronomic practices for wheat production. In an organic system, weed management can be one of the biggest challenges. One strategy to manage weeds is to modify planting dates. Early planting dates can establish a crop prior to weed flushes, while a late-planted crop can avoid some weed species. Planting date can also have an overall impact on both grain yield and quality. Certain wheat varieties may respond better to earlier or later planting dates. At this time, there is minimal data to document optimum spring wheat planting dates for the Northeast. The objective of this project was to determine the effect of planting date on the yield and quality of multiple spring wheat varieties

Aposematic Signal Variation Predicts Male-Male Interactions in a Polymorphic Poison Frog

Many species use conspicuous “aposematic” signals to communicate unpalatability/unprofitability to potential predators. Although aposematic traits are generally considered to be classic examples of evolution by natural selection, they can also function in the context of sexual selection, and therefore comprise exceptional systems for understanding how conspicuous signals evolve under multifarious selection. We used males from a highly territorial poison frog species in a dichotomous choice behavioral test to conduct the first examination of how aposematic signal variation influences male–male interactions. Our results reveal two behavioral patterns: (1) male dorsal brightness influences the behaviors of male conspecifics such that males approach and call to brighter males more frequently and (2) a male\u27s dorsal brightness predicts his own behavior such that bright males approach stimulus frogs faster, direct more calls to bright stimulus frogs, and exhibit lower advertising call pulse rates (a fitness‐related trait). These findings indicate the potential for sexual selection by male–male competition to impact aposematic signal evolution

A Shadow of the Future: A Proposal for Construction of A Solar Shade and its Implementation through International Cooperation

Over the past century, climate change due to anthropogenic forcing has rapidly increased the temperature of the globe. The rate of warming has outpaced the ability of Earth systems to adapt, and as rates of emissions continue to increase, the Earth is quickly reaching a climate tipping point. As political agreements fail to efficiently mitigate this danger, it is time to turn to other solutions. This proposal will advance the creation of a solar shade, in order to reduce the amount of sunlight the Earth receives, and thus employ geoengineering to counter anthropogenic warming. Advancements in drone technology, reusable first stage rockets, and foldable space structures mean a space shade is now actionable, as well as feasible. This paper will discuss the materials and methods of construction, as well as including an in-depth cost analysis of solar shade deployment. There will also be a detailed outline of a control organization, to be instituted along with the technical aspects of a solar shade. Finally, this proposal examines the policy issues inherent to geoengineering projects, and how this proposal resolves those concerns. In its entirety, this proposal will present a scientific and politically minded solution to combat global climate change

Flea‘in Around: A Look at the Identification, Preservation, Clearing, and Mounting of Siphonaptera

Fleas are remarkable and highly specialized insects, with no part of their external anatomy being easily mistaken for that of any other insect. Due to their small size, the subtle differences among the distinguishing morphological characteristics of each species, and complexities of preparing specimens, identifying, and working with fleas is challenging. Various documents and taxonomic keys are available that discuss mounting procedures and the identification of medically important fleas for large regions of the world including the United States; however, many of these have become antiquated over time. Some of the distinguishing specialized characteristics exhibited among flea species, as presented in older keys, come in the form of line drawings, which are accurate but can be difficult to use when comparing it to structures on a whole specimen when viewed through a microscope. This paper presents a guide which describes in detail previously developed, but obscure techniques covering the preservation, preparation, clearing, and mounting of Siphonaptera specimens. In addition, we are also presenting an easy-to-use photographic key of twelve flea species collected from back yard wildlife, as well as pet cats and dogs in Orange County, CA. This key, which is freely available online at the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website, is an effective tool for the identification of common flea species found in southern California. Using the key in conjunction with the mounting guide will provide users with a full-circle guide to preserving, identifying, and mounting flea specimens. Keyed flea genera include Cediopsylla, Ctenocephalides, Diamanus, Echidinophaga, Hoplopsyllus, Leptopsylla, Nosopsyllus, Orchopoeas, Pulex, and Xenopsylla. Examined hosts include cats, coyotes, dogs, mice, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, rats, skunks, squirrels, and woodrats

Sunbeam: A Fairy Tale

The heroine of this fantasy novel is Alina who lives in a medieval-like time and place. The day before her 20th birthday, in an impetuous moment, she breaks a local superstition by standing in a sunbeam. This allows a fairy to kidnap her and take her to the fairy castle to be a servant for her frivolous daughter. There, Alina meets several other humans, some of whom are organizing a rebellion designed to free the humans. When escaping on her own doesn‟t work, she joins the rebellion. She also attends a fairy ball in disguise, survives a troll attack in the dungeon, helps effect a rescue from the dungeon, and develops friendships with some of the fairies, including her captor‟s son. Towards the end of the novel, the rebellion is successful, but it results in a fairy‟s capture by trolls. Alina has the choice to take the opportunity to escape or return to the castle in order to rescue the fairy. During her adventures, the heroine matures from someone accustomed to complying with her friends‟ and family‟s plans for her life to a more self-sufficient individual who charts her own course

Developmental and Social-Ecological Perspectives on Children, Political Violence, and Armed Conflict

An increasing number of researchers and policymakers have been moved to study and intervene in the lives of children affected by violent conflicts (Masten, 2014). According to a United Nations Children's Fund (2009) report, over 1 billion children under the age of 18 are growing up in regions where acts of political violence and armed conflict are, as Ladds and Cairns (1996, p. 15) put it, “a common occurrence—a fact of life.” In recent years, the United Nations Children's Fund, advocacy and human rights groups, journalists, and researchers have drawn public attention to the high rates of child casualties in these regions, and to the plights of those children still caught in the crossfire. It has thus become clear that both the challenges and the stakes are higher than ever to promote the safety and well-being of affected children around the world (Masten &amp; Narayan, 2012; Tol, Jordans, Kohrt, Betancourt, &amp; Komproe, 2012).</jats:p